Mixing events in a stratified jet subject to surface wind and buoyancy forcing

2011 ◽  
Vol 685 ◽  
pp. 54-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hieu T. Pham ◽  
Sutanu Sarkar
Keyword(s):  
Surface Layer ◽  
Wind Stress ◽  
Richardson Number ◽  
Reynolds Shear Stress ◽  
Surface Wind ◽  
Initial Density ◽  
Shear Instability ◽  
Energy Budgets ◽  
Surface Cooling ◽  
Gradient Richardson Number

AbstractThe fine-scale response of a subsurface stable stratified jet subject to the forcing of surface wind stress and surface cooling is investigated using direct numerical simulation. The initial velocity profile consists of a symmetric jet located below a surface layer driven by a constant wind stress. The initial density profile is well-mixed in the surface layer and linearly stratified in both upper and lower flanks of the jet. The minimum value of the gradient Richardson number in the upper flank of the jet exceeds the critical value of 0.25 for linear shear instability. Broadband finite-amplitude fluctuations are introduced to the surface layer to initiate the simulation. Turbulence is generated in the surface layer and deepens into the jet upper flank. Internal waves generated by the turbulent surface layer are observed to propagate downward across the jet. The momentum flux carried by the waves is significantly smaller than the Reynolds shear stress extracted from the background velocity. The wave energy flux is also smaller than the turbulence production by mean shear. Ejections of fluid parcels by horseshoe-like vortices cause intermittent patches of intense dissipation inside the jet upper flank where the background gradient Richardson number is larger than 0.25. Drag due to the wind stress is smaller than the drag caused by turbulent stress in the flow. Analysis of the mean and turbulent kinetic energy budgets suggests that the energy input by surface forcing is considerably smaller than the energy extracted from the initially imposed background shear in the surface layer.

scholarly journals Wavelet Analyses of Turbulence in the Hurricane Surface Layer during Landfalls

2010 ◽  
Vol 67 (12) ◽  
pp. 3793-3805 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ping Zhu ◽  
Jun A. Zhang ◽  
Forrest J. Masters
Keyword(s):  
Surface Layer ◽  
Wind Speed ◽  
Wind Stress ◽  
Surface Wind ◽  
Power Spectra ◽  
Substantial Effect ◽  
Vertical Transport ◽  
Transport Processes ◽  
Wind Speeds ◽  
Surface Wind Stress

Abstract Using wavelet transform (WT), this study analyzes the surface wind data collected by the portable wind towers during the landfalls of six hurricanes and one tropical storm in the 2002–04 seasons. The WT, which decomposes a time series onto the scale-time domain, provides a means to investigate the role of turbulent eddies in the vertical transport in the unsteady, inhomogeneous hurricane surface layer. The normalized WT power spectra (NWPS) show that the hurricane boundary layer roll vortices tend to suppress the eddy circulations immediately adjacent to rolls, but they do not appear to have a substantial effect on eddies smaller than 100 m. For low-wind conditions with surface wind speeds less than 10 m s−1, the contributions of small eddies (<236 m) to the surface wind stress and turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) decrease with the increase of wind speed. The opposite variation trend is found for eddies greater than 236 m. However, for wind speeds greater than 10 m s−1, contributions of both small and large eddies tend to level off as wind speeds keep increasing. It is also found that the scale of the peak NWPS of the surface wind stress is nearly constant with a mean value of approximately 86 m, whereas the scale of the peak NWPS of TKE generally increases with the increase of wind speed, suggesting the different roles of eddies in generating fluxes and TKE. This study illustrates the unique characteristics of the surface layer turbulent structures during hurricane landfalls. It is hoped that the findings of this study could enlighten the development and improvement of turbulent mixing schemes so that the vertical transport processes in the hurricane surface layer can be appropriately parameterized in forecasting models.

scholarly journals Turbulent mixing due to the Holmboe wave instability at high Reynolds number

2016 ◽  
Vol 803 ◽  
pp. 591-621 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hesam Salehipour ◽  
C. P. Caulfield ◽  
W. R. Peltier
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Richardson Number ◽  
Initial Density ◽  
Finite Amplitude ◽  
Transition To Turbulence ◽  
Wave Instability ◽  
Length Scales ◽  
Density Interface ◽  
Gradient Richardson Number ◽  
High Reynolds

We consider numerically the transition to turbulence and associated mixing in stratified shear flows with initial velocity distribution $\overline{U}(z,0)\,\boldsymbol{e}_{x}=U_{0}\,\boldsymbol{e}_{x}\tanh (z/d)$ and initial density distribution $\overline{\unicode[STIX]{x1D70C}}(z,0)=\unicode[STIX]{x1D70C}_{0}[1-\tanh (z/\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF})]$ away from a hydrostatic reference state $\unicode[STIX]{x1D70C}_{r}\gg \unicode[STIX]{x1D70C}_{0}$. When the ratio $R=d/\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}$ of the characteristic length scales over which the velocity and density vary is equal to one, this flow is primarily susceptible to the classic well-known Kelvin–Helmholtz instability (KHI). This instability, which typically manifests at finite amplitude as an array of elliptical vortices, strongly ‘overturns’ the density interface of strong initial gradient, which nevertheless is the location of minimum initial gradient Richardson number $Ri_{g}(0)=Ri_{b}=g\unicode[STIX]{x1D70C}_{0}d/\unicode[STIX]{x1D70C}_{r}U_{0}^{2}$, where $Ri_{g}(z)=-([g/\unicode[STIX]{x1D70C}_{r}]\,\text{d}\overline{\unicode[STIX]{x1D70C}}/\text{d}z)/(\text{d}\overline{U}/\text{d}z)^{2}$ and $Ri_{b}$ is a bulk Richardson number. As is well known, at sufficiently high Reynolds numbers ($Re$), the primary KHI induces a vigorous but inherently transient burst of turbulence and associated irreversible mixing localised in the vicinity of the density interface, leading to a relatively well-mixed region bounded by stronger density gradients above and below. We explore the qualitatively different behaviour that arises when $R\gg 1$, and so the density interface is sharp, with $Ri_{g}(z)$ now being maximum at the density interface $Ri_{g}(0)=RRi_{b}$. This flow is primarily susceptible to Holmboe wave instability (HWI) (Holmboe, Geophys. Publ., vol. 24, 1962, pp. 67–113), which manifests at finite amplitude in this symmetric flow as counter-propagating trains of elliptical vortices above and below the density interface, thus perturbing the interface so as to exhibit characteristically cusped interfacial waves which thereby ‘scour’ the density interface. Unlike previous lower-$Re$ experimental and numerical studies, when $Re$ is sufficiently high the primary HWI becomes increasingly more three-dimensional due to the emergence of shear-aligned secondary convective instabilities. As $Re$ increases, (i) the growth rate of secondary instabilities appears to saturate and (ii) the perturbation kinetic energy exhibits a $k^{-5/3}$ spectrum for sufficiently large length scales that are influenced by anisotropic buoyancy effects. Therefore, at sufficiently high $Re$, vigorous turbulence is triggered that also significantly ‘scours’ the primary density interface, leading to substantial irreversible mixing and vertical transport of mass above and below the (robust) primary density interface. Furthermore, HWI produces a markedly more long-lived turbulence event compared to KHI at a similarly high $Re$. Despite their vastly different mechanics (i.e. ‘overturning’ versus ‘scouring’) and localisation, the mixing induced by KHI and HWI is comparable in both absolute terms and relative efficiency. Our results establish that, provided the flow Reynolds number is sufficiently high, shear layers with sharp density interfaces and associated locally high values of the gradient Richardson number may still be sites of substantial and efficient irreversible mixing.

FEATURES OF WIND FIELD OVER THE SEA SURFACE IN THE COASTAL AREA BASED ON SAR OBSERVATIONS

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Monzikova ◽  
Anna Monzikova ◽  
Vladimir Kudryavtsev Vladimir ◽  
Vladimir Kudryavtsev Vladimir ◽  
Alexander Myasoedov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wind Stress ◽  
Surface Wind ◽  
Quantitative Description ◽  
Energy Resource ◽  
Resource Assessment ◽  
Internal Boundary Layer ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Internal Boundary ◽  
Sar Images ◽  
Surface Wind Stress

“Wind-shadowing” effects in the Gulf of Finland coastal zone are analyzed using high resolution Envisat Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) measurements and model simulations. These effects are related to the internal boundary layer (IBL) development due to abrupt change the surface roughness at the sea-land boundary. Inside the "shadow" areas the airflow accelerates and the surface wind stress increases with the fetch. Such features can be revealed in SAR images as dark areas adjacent to the coastal line. Quantitative description of these effects is important for offshore wind energy resource assessment. It is found that the surface wind stress scaled by its equilibrium value (far from the coast) is universal functions of the dimensionless fetch Xf/G. Wind stress reaches an equilibrium value at the distance Xf/G of about 0.4.

Entrainment and mixing in stratified shear flows

2001 ◽  
Vol 428 ◽  
pp. 349-386 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. J. STRANG ◽  
H. J. S. FERNANDO
Keyword(s):  
Internal Waves ◽  
Richardson Number ◽  
Transition Period ◽  
Lower Layer ◽  
Buoyancy Flux ◽  
Shear Instability ◽  
Mixing Efficiency ◽  
Buoyancy Frequency ◽  
Entrainment Rate ◽  
Turbulent Eddies

The results of a laboratory experiment designed to study turbulent entrainment at sheared density interfaces are described. A stratified shear layer, across which a velocity difference ΔU and buoyancy difference Δb is imposed, separates a lighter upper turbulent layer of depth D from a quiescent, deep lower layer which is either homogeneous (two-layer case) or linearly stratified with a buoyancy frequency N (linearly stratified case). In the parameter ranges investigated the flow is mainly determined by two parameters: the bulk Richardson number RiB = ΔbD/ΔU2 and the frequency ratio fN = ND=ΔU.When RiB > 1.5, there is a growing significance of buoyancy effects upon the entrainment process; it is observed that interfacial instabilities locally mix heavy and light fluid layers, and thus facilitate the less energetic mixed-layer turbulent eddies in scouring the interface and lifting partially mixed fluid. The nature of the instability is dependent on RiB, or a related parameter, the local gradient Richardson number Rig = N2L/ (∂u/∂z)2, where NL is the local buoyancy frequency, u is the local streamwise velocity and z is the vertical coordinate. The transition from the Kelvin–Helmholtz (K-H) instability dominated regime to a second shear instability, namely growing Hölmböe waves, occurs through a transitional regime 3.2 < RiB < 5.8. The K-H activity completely subsided beyond RiB ∼ 5 or Rig ∼ 1. The transition period 3.2 < RiB < 5 was characterized by the presence of both K-H billows and wave-like features, interacting with each other while breaking and causing intense mixing. The flux Richardson number Rif or the mixing efficiency peaked during this transition period, with a maximum of Rif ∼ 0.4 at RiB ∼ 5 or Rig ∼ 1. The interface at 5 < RiB < 5.8 was dominated by ‘asymmetric’ interfacial waves, which gradually transitioned to (symmetric) Hölmböe waves at RiB > 5:8.Laser-induced fluorescence measurements of both the interfacial buoyancy flux and the entrainment rate showed a large disparity (as large as 50%) between the two-layer and the linearly stratified cases in the range 1.5 < RiB < 5. In particular, the buoyancy flux (and the entrainment rate) was higher when internal waves were not permitted to propagate into the deep layer, in which case more energy was available for interfacial mixing. When the lower layer was linearly stratified, the internal waves appeared to be excited by an ‘interfacial swelling’ phenomenon, characterized by the recurrence of groups or packets of K-H billows, their degeneration into turbulence and subsequent mixing, interfacial thickening and scouring of the thickened interface by turbulent eddies.Estimation of the turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) budget in the interfacial zone for the two-layer case based on the parameter α, where α = (−B + ε)/P, indicated an approximate balance (α ∼ 1) between the shear production P, buoyancy flux B and the dissipation rate ε, except in the range RiB < 5 where K-H driven mixing was active.

scholarly journals Influence of El Niño Wind Stress Anomalies on South Brazil Bight Ocean Volume Transports

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luiz Paulo de Freitas Assad ◽  
Carina Stefoni Böck ◽  
Rogerio Neder Candella ◽  
Luiz Landau
Keyword(s):  
Stress Field ◽  
Interannual Variability ◽  
Wind Stress ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Time Lag ◽  
Surface Wind ◽  
Circulation Model ◽  
Volume Transport ◽  
Wind Stress Field ◽  
Volume Transports

The knowledge of wind stress variability could represent an important contribution to understand the variability over upper layer ocean volume transports. The South Brazilian Bight (SBB) circulation had been studied by numerous researchers who predominantly attempted to estimate its meridional volume transport. The main objective and contribution of this study is to identify and quantify possible interannual variability in the ocean volume transport in the SBB induced by the sea surface wind stress field. A low resolution ocean global circulation model was implemented to investigate the volume transport variability. The results obtained indicate the occurrence of interannual variability in meridional ocean volume transports along three different zonal sections. These results also indicate the influence of a wind driven large-scale atmospheric process that alters locally the SBB and near-offshore region wind stress field and consequently causes interannual variability in the upper layer ocean volume transports. A strengthening of the southward flow in 25°S and 30°S was observed. The deep layer ocean volume transport in the three monitored sections indicates a potential dominance of other remote ocean processes. A small time lag between the integrated meridional volume transports changes in each monitored zonal section was observed.

Novel Perturbation Analysis for a Widely Applicable Curvature Law of the Wall

1999 ◽  
Author(s):  
Namhyo Kim ◽  
David L. Rhode
Keyword(s):  
Perturbation Analysis ◽  
Richardson Number ◽  
Perturbation Technique ◽  
Solution Approach ◽  
Law Of The Wall ◽  
Streamline Curvature ◽  
Curvature Effects ◽  
Gradient Richardson Number ◽  
Closed Form Analytical Solution ◽  
First Time

Abstract A streamline curvature law of the wall is analytically derived to include very strong curved-channel wall curvature effects through a novel perturbation analysis. The new law allows improved analysis of such flows, and it provides the basis for improved wall function boundary conditions for their computation (CFD) over a wider range of y+, even for very strong curvature cases. The unique derivation is based on the Boussinesq eddy viscosity and curvature-corrected mixing length concepts, which is a linear function of the gradient Richardson number. For the first time, to include more complete curved flow physics, local streamline curvature effects in the gradient Richardson number are kept. To overcome the mathematical difficulty of keeping all of these local streamline curvature terms, a novel perturbation solution approach is successfully developed. This novel perturbation technique allows a closed-form analytical solution to many similar non-linear problems which previously required more complicated techniques. Qualitative and quantitative comparisons with measurements and previous curvature laws of the wall obtained by different approaches reveal that the new law shows improved representation of the wall curvature effects for all of the four test cases.

Wind Stress Over Waves: Effects of Sea Roughness and Atmospheric Stability

2002 ◽  
Vol 124 (3) ◽  
pp. 169-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dag Myrhaug ◽  
Olav H. Slaattelid
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Wind Stress ◽  
Local Equilibrium ◽  
Surface Wind ◽  
Atmospheric Stability ◽  
Sea Surface ◽  
Stability Function ◽  
Sea Surface Wind ◽  
Surface Wind Stress ◽  
Sea Surface Roughness

The paper considers the effects of sea roughness and atmospheric stability on the sea surface wind stress over waves, which are in local equilibrium with the wind, by using the logarithmic boundary layer profile including a stability function, as well as adopting some commonly used sea surface roughness formulations. The engineering relevance of the results is also discussed.

Reduced Stability of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation due to Wind Stress Feedback during Glacial Times

2008 ◽  
Vol 21 (23) ◽  
pp. 6260-6282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivier Arzel ◽  
Matthew H. England ◽  
Willem P. Sijp
Keyword(s):  
Sea Ice ◽  
Wind Stress ◽  
Surface Wind ◽  
Meridional Overturning Circulation ◽  
Nonlinear Dependence ◽  
Upper Ocean ◽  
Overturning Circulation ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Meridional Overturning ◽  
The Impact

Abstract A previous study by Mikolajewicz suggested that the wind stress feedback stabilizes the Atlantic thermohaline circulation. This result was obtained under modern climate conditions, for which the presence of the massive continental ice sheets characteristic of glacial times is missing. Here a coupled ocean–atmosphere–sea ice model of intermediate complexity, set up in an idealized spherical sector geometry of the Atlantic basin, is used to show that, under glacial climate conditions, wind stress feedback actually reduces the stability of the meridional overturning circulation (MOC). The analysis reveals that the influence of the wind stress feedback on the glacial MOC response to an external source of freshwater applied at high northern latitudes is controlled by the following two distinct processes: 1) the interactions between the wind field and the sea ice export in the Northern Hemisphere (NH), and 2) the northward Ekman transport in the tropics and upward Ekman pumping in the core of the NH subpolar gyre. The former dominates the response of the coupled system; it delays the recovery of the MOC, and in some cases even stabilizes collapsed MOC states achieved during the hosing period. The latter plays a minor role and mitigates the impact of the former process by reducing the upper-ocean freshening in deep-water formation regions. Hence, the wind stress feedback delays the recovery of the glacial MOC, which is the opposite of what occurs under modern climate conditions. Close to the critical transition threshold beyond which the circulation collapses, the glacial MOC appears to be very sensitive to changes in surface wind stress forcing and exhibits, in the aftermath of the freshwater pulse, a nonlinear dependence upon the wind stress feedback magnitude: a complete and irreversible MOC shutdown occurs only for intermediate wind stress feedback magnitudes. This behavior results from the competitive effects of processes 1 and 2 on the midlatitude upper-ocean salinity during the shutdown phase of the MOC. The mechanisms presented here may be relevant to the large meltwater pulses that punctuated the last glacial period.

scholarly journals SEASONAL PATTERN OF WIND INDUCED UPWELLING OVER JAVA-BALI SEA WATERS AND SURROUNDING AREA

2010 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Siswanto ◽  
Suratno
Keyword(s):  
Wind Stress ◽  
Coastal Upwelling ◽  
Sea Water ◽  
Mixed Layer Depth ◽  
Surface Wind ◽  
Ekman Transport ◽  
Monsoon Circulation ◽  
Wide Field ◽  
Surrounding Area ◽  
Noaa Avhrr

The influence of monsoonal wind to coastal upwelling mechanism which is generated by Ekman transport was studied here by analyzing wind stress curl (WSC) distribution over Java-Bali Sea waters and its surrounding area. Surface wind data were used as input data to calculate curl of wind stress in barotropic model. Confirmation with Corioli effect in the Southern Hemisphere, it could be known that negative curl value has relation with vertical motion of sea water as resulted by Ekman transport. Result of analysis showed that negative curl near coast over Java Sea which is stretching to Lombok Sea occurred in December to April when westerly wind of the North West Monsoon actives. It can be guidance and related with season of coastal upwelling in the region. Reversal condition, the occurrance of coastal upwelling in the south coast of JAva island related with the negative value of WSC that occurs since easterlies wind take place in May to August as a part of South East Monsoon episode. Generally, upwelling occurrance in the field of study is a response to the Monsoon circulation. This study with related data such as sea surface temperature, chlorophyll concetration and mixed layer depth that derived from satellite imaging data National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (NOAA-AVHRR), Aqua/Modis and sea viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor(Sea WiFS) shows as magnificent confirmation pattern. So applying WSC to recoqnize upwelling zone is alternatively way as climatic approach to maps potential fertilizing of sea water in maritime-continent Indonesia. Key words: coastal upwelling, Ekman transport, Java-Bali Sea, Monsoon circulation, upwelling.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document